Can It Get Easier?

1) I made an agreement with my coach to spend one hour a week researching where to submit or submitting three poems. It’s a bit like a job description – two years of experience can be substituted for one year of school. One hour of research or three poems, which ever comes first.

2) Duotrope sends me an email each week with new markets, closed markets and themed markets. I keep it in my inbox until I use it.

3) Or I remember a blog that tells about a good place to submit or read the recommendations at She Writes (sorry, guys).

§ 25 Responses to Can It Get Easier?

[…] Uppy Now 2009 August 19 tags: Creative Writing, Poetry, Writing by Pamela Villars Since my post about submissions, and many folks’ acknowledgement that they find it difficult, I’ve been thinking more […]

You have a coach? May I borrow? I think I need somebody to hold me accountable.

I haven’t even tried to submit anything, mainly because the whole process seems so daunting and I don’t know where to start. It’s like I’m waiting for somebody to take my hand and forcefully lead me to the exact place I need to submit. Maybe I’m just lazy. Or afraid. Or both.

This plan,however, seems workable. I think I’ll try it. I’m heading out for some Paisano.

Pamela’s goals on Monday:
1 hour researching where to submit
Read submission emails and blogs
Submit three poems
Write three more poems
Sigh with satisfaction and pour a glass of wine.

Pamela’s goals on Tuesday:
1 hour researching where to submit
Read submission emails and blogs – Email isn’t working. Pour a glass of wine
Submit three poems
Write two more poems
Sigh with semi-satisfaction and pour a glass of wine.

Pamela’s goals on Wednesday:
1/2 hour researching where to submit
Skip emails and blogs. Eat entire bag of M&M’s and wash them down with wine.
Submit two poems
Write flash poetic prose
Sigh with frustration and pour a glass of wine.

Pamela’s goals on Thursday:
Scour emails and blogs to discover none of them have posted anything new. Pour wine.
Drink wine
Chew on pencil
Pour wine
Sigh with anger and pour a glass of wine.

Pamela’s goals on Friday:
Scour emails and blogs to discover none of them have posted anything new. Drink wine straight from bottle.

I didn’t say it well…but yes, if it takes me an hour to do the research, then it counts. For example, I found a place to submit a chapbook, but didn’t have it ready, so preparing it will count as another hour.